Gunners bow out; dream debut for Malaga continues

AFP, PARIS

Fri, Mar 15, 2013 - Page 20

England will have no sides in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 1996 after Arsenal exited on Wednesday, despite beating last season’s finalists Bayern Munich 2-0 away in their round-of-16, second-leg tie.

Goals by French duo Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny were not sufficient to repair the damage done in London last month as they went out on the away-goals rule, with the tie finishing 3-3 on aggregate.

Bayern Munich join Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund in the last eight of the draw today, while Arsenal must fight to finish in the top four of the Premier League, or yet another trophyless season will not even have the consolation of a Champions League place for next term.

The other match saw Spain’s representation in the quarter-finals by contrast rise to three, as Malaga’s dream debut in the competition was prolonged with a 2-0 win over 2004 champions Porto that saw them prevail 2-1 on aggregate.

Arsenal could at least take satisfaction from inflicting Bayern’s first defeat in 24 games in all competitions.